Low cost hurricane and earthquake resistant house

ABSTRACT

A low-cost hurricane and earthquake resistant house structure includes a rounded shape external wall constructed of a plurality of circumferentially adjacent wall segments, each secured to an adjacent structural vertical stud secured to the ground via a shock absorber. Each wall segment includes a plurality of blocks located and secured on top of one another. A foundation groove receives at least a portion of a lowest block of each wall segment therein, and spaced from inside foundation walls. An aerodynamic roof is secured to the vertical studs, and a floor is mounted on shock absorbers on the ground and connected to the wall with a flexible material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application forPatent No. 61/573,051 filed Aug. 19, 2011, the content of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to buildings and is more particularlyconcerned with a house or building with a low-cost hurricane andearthquake resistant structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known in the art of buildings to have the structure, or partthereof, made to be hurricane and/or earthquake resistant. However,these structures are generally so costly than only commercial or officebuildings can afford to incorporate them, or even luxury villas or thelike. None of these house structures are capable of being built locallydirectly in devastated areas where access to inexperienced labor andminimum use of expensive machining is a reality.

When nature disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes and the like,happen, it is not rare to see that a significant amount of typicalhouses or homes are at least partially, if not totally, destroyed sincethe owner of these houses cannot afford to include special structures tomake them resistant to the nature disasters.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved low-cost hurricane andearthquake resistant house.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide animproved low-cost hurricane and earthquake resistant house.

An advantage of the house of the present invention is that it has anaerodynamic shape that makes the air resistance, drag and lift forceswill be drastically lower compared to the other more conventional shapesof the house construction.

Another advantage of the house of the present invention is that it has astructure with lateral and frontal stability to strong winds because thecircular wall is freely inserted in the ground with the support of thegroove and rigid poles.

A further advantage of the house of the present invention is that it hasa vertical stability of the structure during hurricane because of theweight of the structure and aerodynamic shape of the roof and the inground shock absorbers of the poles.

Yet another advantage of the house of the present invention is that ithas a good resistance to an earthquake because of the fact that theoutside wall is inserted in the ground with the help of a concretegroove and shock absorbing poles rather than being anchored. Thisearthquake resistance is enhanced because the floor and the wall arestructurally independent from one another and will produce independentmovement on the respective shock absorbers.

Another advantage of the house of the present invention is that it hastechnologies that enable a fast reliable construction, typicallydirectly in devastated areas, at low cost of materials, minimum use ofmachining tools and unskilled labor. The materials typically used forthe fabrication of wall blocks are preferably locally found in naturefor low cost and improved strength and resistance.

Yet a further advantage of the house of the present invention is that ithas an aerodynamic roof shape that minimizes the effect of winds,especially high velocity winds, on the structure of the house. Such anaerodynamic roof, when being concave, further allows the collection ofrain water for recycling as well as an opening for air intake andexhaust from the house.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided alow-cost hurricane and earthquake resistant house, said housecomprising:

-   -   a typically rounded shape wall including a plurality of        circumferentially adjacent wall segments secured to structural        vertical polls secured to the ground via shock absorbing        mechanism; each said wall segment including a plurality of        blocks located and secured on top of one another;    -   the wall being partially located inside a foundation groove.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from a careful reading of the detailed description providedherein, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomebetter understood with reference to the description in association withthe following Figures, in which similar references used in differentFigures denote similar components, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top perspective view of a low-cost hurricane andearthquake resistant house in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a segment of the outside wall of thehouse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan section view of a wall segment of the house of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a is a schematic top perspective view of a block of the wallsegment of the house;

FIG. 3 b is a view similar to FIG. 3 a of another embodiment of a blockof the wall segment of a house in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is a diametrical section view of the house of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a schematic top perspective view of another embodiment of alow-cost hurricane and earthquake resistant house in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic top perspective view of another embodiment of alow-cost hurricane and earthquake resistant house in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a segment of the outside wall ofthe house of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the annexed drawings, in most of which many parts havevoluntarily been omitted for clarity purposes, the preferred embodimentsof the present invention will be herein described for indicative purposeand by no means as of limitation.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is schematically shown anembodiment 10 of a low-cost hurricane and earthquake resistant house inaccordance with the present invention.

The structure of the house 10 includes a round shaped aerodynamic,typically circular (or elliptical) wall 12 (when seen from the top)formed of a plurality of vertical wall segments 13 located adjacent oneanother. Elongated rigid vertical structural studs 14 (poles or posts)or the like, encapsulated in the wall 12 and supported at their basewith respective shock absorbers 16 (of any type usually known in theart) at least partially inserted in the ground 18 act as a support forthe wall 12 of the house 10, as shown in FIG. 2. Typically, there is asupport stud 14 between adjacent wall segments 13.

A foundation structure 20 in a form of circular (or elliptical) pattern22, typically grooved, acts as a support for the wall 12 of the house10. A gap between the internal and external surfaces of the wall 12 andthe corresponding facing internal surface of the groove 22, or pattern,is required to prevent any direct external environmental stress onto thewall structure 12, especially during earthquakes and the like naturaldisasters, and allow the free support of the wall structure 12.Obviously, this gap could be filled with any soft insulating and/orisolating material or the like which would not transmit any load fromthe foundation structure 20 to the wall 12.

Similarly, the studs 14, to reach the corresponding shock absorbers 16,typically freely extend through the foundation structure 20 withoutdirectly contacting the structure 20 to allow for relative movementthere between in case of earthquakes or the like natural disaster andthermal expansion and contraction differentials. Obviously, the spacebetween the studs 14 and the foundation structure 20 could be filledwith a relatively flexible material insert 22′ or the like thatessentially closes the space while keeping the two structurallydisconnected from one another.

Fiber-formed (or the like) flexible container 23, or outer-shell, withpoured concrete-type settable filler and horizontal 26 and vertical 28elongated members or rods (at least one of each, preferably two of eachone) extending at least partially there through acts as a constructionblock 24, of a typically quadrilateral prism shape, preferably arectangular right prism shape (as a conventional brick) which is heldtogether (with another upper and/or lower block 24) by cement 30 andreinforced by clamping joints 32 between elongated members 26 and theadjacent studs 14, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. The blocks 24, oneexample being shown in FIG. 3 a, are preferably made on-site to formsuccessive rows, starting with the lowest row, as bricks in a brickwall. When the radius of the wall structure 12 is relatively small, theblocks 24′ may have a generally trapezoidal right prism shape (as asegment of an annulus), as shown in FIG. 3 b, to ensure a substantiallyconstant outside-to-inside spacing between adjacent lateral blocks 24′.To ensure the proper shape of the block 24, 24′, the flexible container23, 23′ can be formed inside a rigid container 25, 25′ acting as aforming structure during setting of the concrete inside the flexibleouter-shell 23, 23′, before being extracted therefrom. Each wall segment13 is formed of a plurality of blocks 24 located and secured on top ofone another. To this end, the upper portion of the vertical elongatedmembers 28 of a lower block 24 typically slightly fit into a lowerportion of the corresponding vertical member 28 of the superjacent block24 which do not protrude downwardly there from.

In order to have a stronger structure, each block 24 may containreinforcing material, of the same material than the outer-shell 23 orany other similar material, as a block composite fiber.

Although not specifically shown, the clamping joints 32 and spacesbetween construction blocks 24 are typically filled with concretesettable material or the like to enhance the strength, durability andaesthetic of the wall 10.

An aerodynamic roof 34 is built on specific supports (not shown)inserted on the upper ends of the studs 14.

Vegetation like grass 35 or the like or photovoltaic cells 37 can beplaced on the surface of the roof 34 (see FIG. 6) to absorb the energyof the sun and produce vegetation or electricity for the house 10.

Windows 36, preferably curved or multi-planar or segmented (although notnecessarily required), are placed to locally conform to the outsideshaped surface 38 of the wall 12 in order to provide water proof contactand aerodynamic quality of the overall external wall 12. The alsopreferably curved, and preferably sliding (could also be hinged), doors38 are also placed to locally conform to the outside surface 38 of thewall 12 in order to provide water proof contact and aerodynamic qualityto outside wall 12 of the house 10. Although not shown, similar windowsand doors could be used on the inside of the wall 12 of the house 10 forenhanced security.

The floor 40 is typically supported above the ground 18 with shockabsorbing mechanisms 42 or the like, as shown in FIG. 5, such that thefloor 40 is not directly anchored to the ground 18 or to the wall 12.For an increased stability, the outer periphery of the floor 40 istypically connected to an outer floor support foundation 21 locatedadjacent and inside of the foundation structure 20 supporting the wallstructure 12, and spaced therefrom.

The gap between the edges of the floor 40 and inside surface 44 of thewall 12 is typically filled with flexible water proof material structure46, such as membranes or the like, to prevent water and humidity fromflowing there through, and prevent any to access there through toinsects, small animals and the like.

Inside separate walls (not shown) are typically suspended from theceiling 34 or erected from the floor 40 to divide inside space of thehouse 10 into separate rooms. Similarly, sanitary and kitchen equipment(not shown) can be chosen and installed from a variety of equipmentavailable or could be custom build.

Ventilation (not shown) could be provided by wall vents, roof vents orground vents (not shown). The design and construction of these ventsshall not decrease the aerodynamic quality of the house 10.

The shock absorbers 16, and the shock absorbing mechanism 42, are madeof a filer material that relatively rigid, not destructible over timeand/or weather conditions (no fatigue and/or deformation over time, overthe life expectancy of the house 10).

The above technology elements could be used for a small aerodynamiccircular one wall house (FIG. 1) or large aerodynamic circular multiwalls house in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 6, thereis shown one (embodiment 10′) of many examples of a large house with twocircular walls, one inside wall 12′ and one outside wall 12 thuscreating doughnut (circular or elliptical annular) shaped roof 34′ andhouse 10′ with a large inside open yard 48. In such a house 10′, sameconforming curved windows 36′ and doors (not shown) could be used on theinside wall 12′ of the house 10′ for enhanced security.

Another example of an embodiment 10″ of an elliptical house of thepresent invention with an aerodynamic roof 34″ is shown in FIGS. 7 and8. The concave roof 34″ is typically terminated at its bottom, or lowest(closest to the floor) region, typically the central region thereof,with a central drain 50 that, in addition to enable collecting of waterin a water reservoir 54 and the like, preferably located outside (asindicated by the broken pipe) of the house perimeter below the groundlevel with proper water pumping mechanism and water outlet (not shown),via a drain pipe 52. The drain 50 is typically supported by an internalwall structure 56 (or drain pipe structure) that also provides anadditional support for the roof 34″, as well as a proper location forany additional convenience (not shown) piping (venting and plumbing) asair intake, air exhaust and air conditioning there through, andelectrical wiring and the like. The internal wall structure 56 typicallyincludes the same components connected thereto as the external wallstructure 12, namely an inner foundation structure 20′ withcorresponding structural vertical studs 14′ and shock absorbers 16′, aninner floor support foundation 21′, flexible material insert 22′, andflexible water proof material structure 46′ at the inner periphery ofthe floor 40.

Although the present invention has been described with a certain degreeof particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has beenmade by way of example only and that the present invention is notlimited to the features of the embodiments described and illustratedherein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scopeand spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

1. A low-cost hurricane and earthquake resistant house structure, saidhouse structure comprising: a typically rounded shape external wallincluding a plurality of circumferentially adjacent wall segments, eachsaid wall segment being secured to an adjacent structural vertical studsecured to the ground via a shock absorbing mechanism; each said wallsegment including a plurality of blocks located and secured on top ofone another; and a foundation pattern freely supporting at least aportion of a lowest block of each said wall segment
 2. A house structureaccording to claim 1, wherein said foundation pattern is a foundationgroove freely receiving at least a portion of a lowest block of eachsaid wall segment therein, and spaced from inside foundation walls.
 3. Ahouse structure according to claim 1, wherein each said block includes agenerally flexible fiber-formed outer shell filled with settable filler.4. A house structure according to claim 3, wherein each said blockincludes at least one substantially horizontal elongated memberextending at least partially through the outer shell and the settablefiller and securing to adjacent one of said vertical stud.
 5. A housestructure according to claim 4, wherein each said block includes atleast one substantially vertical elongated member extending at leastpartially through the outer shell and the settable filler and securingto an adjacent one of said vertical stud of an adjacent upper saidblock.
 6. A house structure according to claim 5, wherein each saidblock is secured to adjacent said blocks and adjacent said structuralstuds with settable material.
 7. A house structure according to claim 1,wherein each said block has a substantially quadrilateral prism shape.8. A house structure according to claim 7, wherein said quadrilateralprism shape is a rectangular right prism shape or a trapezoidal rightprism shape.
 9. A house structure according to claim 1, wherein a flooris supported on the ground with a floor shock absorbing mechanism, thefloor is connected to the external wall with a flexible materialstructure.
 10. A house structure according to claim 1, wherein anaerodynamic roof is supported by an upper end of the vertical studs. 11.A house structure according to claim 10, wherein the aerodynamic roof issubstantially concave and includes a drain opening at a lowest regionthereof closest to a floor of the house structure.
 12. A house structureaccording to claim 11, wherein the drain opening is supported by aninner wall structure supporting the lowest region of the roof.
 13. Ahouse structure according to claim 11, wherein the lowest region is acentral region of the roof.
 14. A house structure according to claim 11,wherein the drain opening connects to a water collecting reservoir. 15.A house structure according to claim 1, wherein the external wallincludes at least one access door.
 16. A house structure according toclaim 15, wherein the external wall includes at least one window.
 17. Ahouse structure according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the atleast one access door and the at least one window is a curved to locallyconform to a shape of the external wall.
 18. A house structure accordingto claim 1, wherein each said stud freely extends through the foundationpattern with a space therebetween.
 19. A house structure according toclaim 18, wherein the space is filled with a flexible material insert.20. A house structure according to claim 1, wherein the external wallhas a circular shape or an elliptical shape.